Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Brea, CA: $33,283 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Brea, CA earns a median $33,283/year (≈ $16.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Brea's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $29,428 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brea, California, medical billing and coding specialists can expect a median annual salary of $33,283 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $30,349. The salary range for this position spans from $25,087 at the lower end (P10) to $51,588 at the upper end (P90), illustrating a diverse compensation landscape. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price variations, reflecting the specific economic context of Brea. As the demand for remote work continues to reshape job opportunities, individuals looking for medical coding roles in this area might find competitive compensation that matches their skills and qualifications.
About the Brea Market
Salary estimated from California average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25,087 | $12.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28,704 | $13.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $33,283 | $16.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42,102 | $20.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,588 | $24.80 |
Median Salary Position
9.67% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brea
In Brea, CA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,501 (2026 est.). At $33,283, the local median is 9.67% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brea: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brea Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Brea median: $33,283/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brea Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $35,071 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | +9.67% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Brea, CA earn a median of $33,283 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.67% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 5.10% below the California state average of $35,071.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brea has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brea, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $33,283 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $29,428 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$29,678
2025 BLS Actual
$32,528
2026 Current Est.
$33,283
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Brea (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29,678 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,009 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,027 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,822 | Actual |
| 2025 | $32,528 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33,283 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34,055 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brea metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $29,678 (2021) to $32,528 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $34,055 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,377 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brea metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.32% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $25,087 – $28,704 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $28,704 – $33,283 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $33,283 – $42,102 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $42,102 – $51,588 |
MBS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical billing and coding specialist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Job Market in Brea
Despite only ten medical billing and coding specialists currently employed in Brea, the job market boasts potential, especially considering the cost of living index is set at 113.1, indicating a higher living expense relative to the national average. This context means that specialists must be strategic in seeking roles that offer better compensation. Among local employers, those in physician group practice coding offices and hospital inpatient coding departments often present the most lucrative opportunities. The disparity between salaries arises from various factors, including specialization, credential stacking—such as holding certifications from AAPC or AHIMA—and productivity models that reward output. For professionals in Brea, obtaining multiple certifications and focusing on high-demand areas like risk adjustment can enhance earning potential significantly.
More salary data for Brea, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Amina Patel, CPC
Career Analyst
Amina has 10 years of experience in medical billing. She specializes in outpatient coding for multi-specialty practices.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $32,528 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Brea metropolitan area. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brea is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical billing and coding specialists (SOC 29-2072).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, CPC, a licensed medical billing and coding specialist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov